Vulnerability of feline T-lymphocytes to charged particles

An analysis of ionizing radiation-induced damage in peripheral lymphocytes has been employed to predict the prognosis of radiotherapy in terms of toxicity in normal tissues. Therefore, understanding the sensitivity of lymphocytes to high linear energy transfer (LET)-charged particles would be indispensable for utilizing charged particle therapy in veterinary medicine. However, the availability of such information is very limited. This study aimed to compare the radiosensitivity of feline T lymphocytes to gamma-rays (0.2 keV/microm) and 4 different types of charged particles with LET values ranging from 2.8 to 114 keV/microm. It was observed that the relative biological effectiveness, inactivation cross-section, and isodose-induced apoptosis increased in an LET-dependent manner. On the other hand, no difference in apoptosis frequency was observed in the cells exposed to an isosurvival dose of all the radiation types tested. This is the first study that demonstrates the LET dependence of cell killing and apoptosis induction in feline T lymphocytes. Our results suggest that lymphocytes can be effectively used to predict the prognosis of charged-particle therapy in cat patients.     

Effects of mangrove deforestation on fish assemblage at Pak Phanang Bay,southern Thailand

Daytime sampling using a seine net was conducted at Pak Phanang Bay (Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand) in February and July 2006, to determine differences in fish assemblage structures between a mangrove site and an adjacent site completely cleared of mangroves. The overall numbers of fish species and individuals were significantly higher at the mangrove site than the cleared site in both months. Although benthic crustacean feeders showed more species and individual numbers at the mangrove site in both months, the opposite was found for zooplankton feeders. A cluster analysis, based on the abundance of each species, demonstrated that the fish assemblage structures were distinctly different between the two sites. In addition, significant differences in length frequency distributions for each of the four most abundant species were found between the sites in February and/or July. Small individuals of Scatophagus argus, Ambassis nalua, and Tetraodon nigroviridis were more common at the mangrove site, and of Chelon subviridis at the cleared site. These results suggest that mangrove deforestation exerts marked effects on fish assemblages.     

鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型对异育银鲫背鳍细胞的显微形态与免疫基因表达水平的影响

为研究鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(Cy HV-2)体外感染复制特征以及异育银鲫抗病毒免疫应答反应。本实验采用组织块培养法建立了异育银鲫背鳍细胞的原代培养体系。结果显示,在10 d左右可观察到组织块迁移分离出新的单层细胞,3周左右细胞可覆盖底部面积为25cm2培养瓶的底部;经Cy HV-2悬液感染离体培养的原代细胞,3 d后病毒滴度增殖至106拷贝/m L;在病毒感染6 d后出现典型的细胞病变效应;Cy HV-2感染原代细胞后,分析前期通过鱼体水平实验鉴定出的与该病毒感染相关的免疫基因:PNP5a、MPO、MHCⅠ、LYZ-C、IL-11、ITLN、PNP5a和DUSP,Real-time Rt-PCR结果显示大部分基因在细胞水平均有显著性的上调,与鱼体水平实验结果一致。本研究建立了原代培养的异育银鲫背鳍细胞,用于构建体外感染Cy HV-2病毒的细胞模型,为深入研究Cy HV-2的感染复制规律及其与宿主的相互作用关系,以及细胞水平筛选抗病毒药物实验奠定了基础。     

Aggregates and gel network structure of globin hydrolysates

A gel with excellent functional properties was prepared successfully using the hydrolysates of globin. In the present study, the structures of intermediate aggregates and gel network were observed directly with an electronic microscope. It was shown clearly that the intermediate aggregates were in a thin rod shape with a length of 130--140 nm, which was in good accordance with the results of the light scattering obtained in a previous study. The diameter of intermediate aggregates was 4--5 nm. Each unit of the intermediate aggregate was composed of beta-chain and peptide beta-1 in a ratio of 1:1. Its molecular weight was 26922 Da, and it had a diameter of 4.1 nm. The thin rod-shaped aggregates were formed with units through the hydrophobic interaction. The length of intermediate aggregate was >30--33 times the diameter. Furthermore, the cross-linked structure formed by peptide alpha-1 and the thin rod-shaped aggregates was also confirmed by the photography of the electronic microscope. These results supported the model proposed in previous papers as proper to depict exactly the formation and structure of the gel network of globin hydrolysates.     

A new method for evaluating symplastic cadmium absorption in the roots of Solanum melongena using enriched isotopes 113Cd and 114Cd

Radioisotope techniques are well known as methods for evaluating symplastic ion absorption in roots. In the present study, a new method for evaluating symplastic cadmium (Cd) absorption in plant roots was developed using the enriched isotopes ¹¹³Cd and ¹¹⁴Cd. Seedlings of Solanum melongena were exposed to an enriched isotope solution of ¹¹³Cd at 25°C for 30 min. The roots were excised from each seedling and were then immersed in a cold buffer solution without Cd at 2°C for 120 min to suppress the metabolic activity of the roots. Finally, the roots were treated with a cold buffer solution containing enriched stable isotope ¹¹⁴Cd at 2°C for 120 min, whereby the apoplastically bound ¹¹³Cd was desorbed. We tested the validity of our method for evaluating symplastic Cd in roots compared with the conventional method based on differences in the amount of Cd absorbed at 2°C and 25°C using unlabeled Cd. There was no difference in the symplastic Cd content of the roots between the two methods. These results indicate that it is possible to evaluate the symplastic Cd content in roots using the enriched isotopes ¹¹³Cd and ¹¹⁴Cd.     

Effects of dietary protein level and cold exposure on tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin in sheep

The effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level and cold exposure on tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were studied in sheep. Nine rams were assigned to one of three isoenergetic diets which contained 70, 100, and 140% of CP for maintenance. They were exposed from a thermoneutral environment (20 degrees C) to a cold environment (0 degrees C) for 7 days. A hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp approach was applied for the determination of tissue responsiveness to insulin (the maximal glucose infusion rate, GIRmax) and tissue sensitivity to insulin (the plasma insulin concentration at half maximal glucose infusion rate, ED50). Dietary CP level influenced digestibilities of dry matter and CP (P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively), and cold exposure decreased (P=0.01) CP digestibility. The GIRmax and ED50 tended to be influenced (P=0.08) by dietary CP level. The GIRmax was enhanced (P=0.0001) during cold exposure. Significant interactions between diet and environment were found for the GIRmax (P=0.04), but not for ED50 (P=0.07). It is concluded that in sheep dietary CP level can modify insulin action in response to cold exposure.     

An epidemiological survey of Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid in Akita Prefecture as a model region in Japan

In epidemiological surveys on Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid (CChMVd) in various chrysanthemums cultivated in Akita Prefecture, Japan, in 2002–2005, approximately 20% of cultivars harbored CChMVd, including more symptomatic types than nonsymptomatic. Large-flowered cultivars were less frequently infected than small-flowered and spray types. The number of CChMVd-infected chrysanthemums is increasing, and the disease is found throughout major chrysanthemum-producing districts. Chrysanthemums infected only with CChMVd, in general, had no noticeable symptoms of disease. Most of those dually infected with known viruses and/or viroid also had no symptoms characteristic of chlorotic mottle disease. The lack of noticeable symptoms in major Japanese cultivars may have resulted in the unnoticed spread of the viroid.     

Preparation of novel reagents 4-alkoxytrityl chlorides and their reaction with methyl Α-d-glucoside

A series of novel 4-O-alkoxytrityl chlorides (1) with different chain lengths was synthesized as a novel reagent for obtaining 6-O-alkylated cellulose with high regioselectivity via trityl groups in one reaction step without the use of any protective groups. These chlorides were reacted with methyl -d-glucoside, which was used as a model compound, to examine the reactivities toward the primary hydroxyl groups of cellulose to afford a series of 6-O-alkylated methyl -d-glucosides in high yields. The product compounds were found to have interesting solubilities and thermal properties. Thus, newly prepared trityl chloride derivatives were found to be useful regioselective derivatization reagents on the primary hydroxyl group in carbohydrates, especially in cellulose.     

Determination of theaflavins including methylated theaflavins in black tea leaves by solid-phase extraction and HPLC analysis

A quantitative method for four theaflavins and two methylated theaflavin derivatives in black tea leaves was developed by solid-phase extraction and a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array detection. The theaflavins in black tea leaves were extracted three times with 40 vol 50% aqueous ethanol (mg dry tea powder/mL) containing 2% ascorbic acid. The ethanol extracts were diluted 4-fold with distilled water. All diluted extracts were directly applied to the solid-phase C18 cartridge column without concentration. The fraction of theaflavins was obtained by 40% ethanol extraction after rinsing with water followed with 15% ethanol extraction. An aliquot of theaflavins after concentration was injected onto an ODS C18 reversed-phase column, and four theaflavins and two methylated theaflavins were sufficiently separated by a linear gradient system using distilled water and acetonitrile with 0.5% acetic acid. This analytical method is sensitive for the determination of a small amount of methylated theaflavins, since various interfering substances produced during the fermentation process were eliminated in advance by solid-phase extraction. Using this analytical method, we also demonstrated that methylated theaflavins were easily produced during the manufacture of black tea.